Ernie Banks, 'Mr. Cub,' dies at 83

Even as the Chicago Cubs lost one game after another, Ernie Banks never lost hope. That was the charm of "Mr. Cub."

Mr. Banks, 83, the Hall of Fame slugger and two-time MVP who always maintained his boundless enthusiasm for baseball despite decades of playing on miserable teams, died Friday night. The Cubs announced Mr. Banks' death, but did not provide a cause.

Mr. Banks hit 512 home runs during his 19-year career and was fond of saying, "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two." In fact, that sunny finish to his famous catchphrase adorns his statue outside Wrigley Field.

"His joyous outlook will never be forgotten by fans of the Cubs and all those who love baseball," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

And on a cold winter night Friday in Chicago, the ballpark marquee carried the sad news for the entire town to see: "Ernie Banks. 'Mr. Cub.' 1931-2015."

"Ernie loved baseball so much, with a passion that was second to none," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, himself a Hall of Famer and former Cub, said in a statement. "Not only was he Mr. Cub, Ernie was an ambassador for the major leagues and all of baseball. His infectious smile and positive attitude made everyone around him happy. He will be greatly missed."

In a statement Saturday, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama expressed their condolences "to the family of Ernie Banks, and to every Chicagoan and baseball fan who loved him."

The president said Banks became known as much for his optimism and love of the game as his home runs and back-to-back National League MVPs.

"As a Hall-of-Famer, Ernie was an incredible ambassador for baseball, and for the city of Chicago," Obama said. "He was beloved by baseball fans everywhere, including Michelle, who, when she was a girl, used to sit with her dad and watch him play on TV."

Though he was an 11-time all-star from 1953 to '71, Mr. Banks never reached the postseason. The Cubs, who haven't won the World Series since 1908, finished below .500 in all but six of his seasons.

Still, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, the first year he was eligible, and was selected to baseball's all-century team in 1999.

"After hitting his 500th home run, Ernie summed up his feelings by saying: 'The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money,' " Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson said in a statement.

In 2013, Banks was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom - by Obama, a noted White Sox fan. The award is one of the nation's highest civilian honors.

Banks' No. 14 was the first number retired by the Cubs, and it hangs on a flag from the left-field foul pole at the old ballpark.

"I'd like to get to the last game of the World Series at Wrigley Field and hit three homers," he once said. "That was what I always wanted to do."

Banks was playing for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues when the Cubs discovered him in 1953, and purchased his contract for $10,000. He made his major-league debut at shortstop on Sept. 17 that year and three days later hit his first home run.